This letter and attachments remind Chiefs of the amendment process and provides guidance on identifying districts in need of improvement and on addressing accountability implications that result from transitioning to grade 3-8 annual testing versus grade span testing.

The purpose of this guidance is to inform States of the peer review process that is designed to help ensure that the States accepted into the growth model pilot have technically sound growth models, a high probability of success in incorporating measures of student growth into school accountability systems, and models that are consistent with the spirit of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). (PDF) (PDF)

Non-regulatory guidance addressing questions the Department has received regarding various provisions of the Charter Schools Program statute, including those related to student admissions to charter schools, the use of lotteries, private school conversions, and the involvement of for-profit organizations in charter schools.